Chapter Text
"Izuku, can we talk?" Kacchan asked him quietly as their group entered Heights Alliance. His friends seemed more than ready to continue their party from the parade in the common area.
Izuku's heart stuttered at the sound of his name in Kacchan's soft voice. Had he ever heard Kacchan's voice that soft? He tried to meet Kacchan's eyes, but Kacchan wouldn't look any higher than Izuku's chest. "What is it, Kacchan?" He asked after the last person entered the building, leaving them outside alone.
Kacchan remained silent, but Izuku had a feeling he just needed to give him some patience. He was pretty sure he knew where this was going, anyway.
After a very long moment, Kacchan ventured, "So...you...like boys?"
Izuku stared blankly, and then a surprised laugh bubbled up from his lips. "Yes," he covered his mouth as he continued to chuckle. "Yes, Kacchan, I like boys."
Kacchan's face darkened with a deep blush. "Oh," he said dumbly. "I...I also...like boys."
Izuku giggled softer this time, "Yes, it's pretty evident that you like boys," he gestured towards the bandana in Kacchan's back pocket.
Kacchan looked down at it and then scoffed. "Not just that. I don't hide things; I'm sure everyone knows I'm gay."
Izuku's eyes narrowed, and his tone was admittedly a little bitter. "You don't hide things, huh?"
Kacchan held his gaze for only a short moment before looking away, blush still overtaking his complexion. "No, I don't. Or, at least... I don't want to anymore." Izuku braced himself, looking down towards his shoes. Kacchan's hand came into view as he reached out to take Izuku's hand gently. "Do you want to be my boyfriend, Izuku?" He asked in that new, soft voice.
Izuku stiffened. What. The fuck? He jerked his head up to look Kacchan directly in the face. Their eyes met; Kacchan appeared first vulnerable, and then confused at the hostility in Izuku's gaze. Kacchan's brow furrowed, and he released Izuku's hand.
"How dare you?!" Izuku barked.
Kacchan's expression held no remorse, like he wasn't even doing anything wrong. "What?"
Izuku grabbed the front of his shirt roughly. "How could you do this to Eijirou?!"
"Eijirou?" Kacchan questioned, growing more confused by the second.
"Does he know?"
"Know what?"
Izuku was beginning to feel unsteady. "Did he... give you permission to ask me out?"
Kacchan looked affronted. "Why the fuck would I need his permission to ask you out?"
Izuku's hold on Kacchan's shirt loosened a bit; he matched Kacchan's confusion. "Because he's your boyfriend?"
"My fucking what?"
Izuku let go and took a step back, reeling. "You guys aren't dating?"
"Izuku, don't you think I would have told you if I was dating someone? Especially if it was Eijirou?" Kacchan asked with what should probably be considered patience, accounting for his personality.
"I thought..." Izuku explained quietly, eyes back on the ground, "it was a secret."
"Deku," Kacchan reasoned, "when do we keep secrets from each other?" Izuku felt hot shame fill him from his head to his feet. "Well," Kacchan said, stepping into Izuku's space and once again reaching for his hand. This time, Izuku held a fist, and Kacchan used both hands to loosen it slowly. He ran his thumb along the back of Izuku's hand in a meaningful caress. "Maybe besides one secret... I hope?"
Izuku's breath caught, and he looked up into Kacchan's eyes again. Izuku wondered when Kacchan had gained the capacity to look so gentle. "Eijirou's not your boyfriend?" He asked dumbly.
Kacchan scoffed with a fond tilt on his lips. "No, Eijirou is not my boyfriend. He is my completely platonic best friend. Gay guys can just be friends, ya know?" He teased.
Izuku glared, "Obviously, I know that! Don't be ridiculous. But," he paused, "I thought..."
"Have you considered that you're an idiot?" Kacchan offered in a light, helpful tone.
"Kacchan!" Izuku chastised.
"I'm kidding, fuck," Kacchan rolled his eyes playfully. "Mostly."
Izuku swatted at his chest with his free hand. Kacchan moved one of his hands to catch it, so he could hold them both. "Look," he said, "are you gonna be my boyfriend, or not? 'Cause I like you a stupid lot, and I'm sick of feeling like a damn fool out here pining after my 'straight best friend.'"
Izuku grinned wide, "Yes, of course, I'll be your boyfriend!"
Kacchan pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank fuck! That was excruciating."
Izuku hugged back with equal force and took a long, long moment to bask in the joy and warmth of the moment.
Wait.
Izuku cried out in offense, "You thought I was straight?!"